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Govt. has a mania for helicopters: Karu

8 August 2012 08:16 am - 35     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Senior UNPer Karu Jayasuriya said today the government had developed a helicopter mania and were blatantly abusing state resources for their election campaign as never before.

“They are using helicopters unnecessarily even to travel a short distance, such as attending a school sports meet,” he told a news conference in Colombo this morning.

Mr. Jayasuriya revealed that the government was going to buy another 14 helicopters on a foreign loan. "This exercise was a waste of public resources at a time the war was over. Is it necessary to buy a great number of helicopters after the war? The people are not prepared to believe that the government is buying these helicopters for tourism purposes,” he said.

Mr. Jayasuriya said in the absence of the 17th amendment. "We are not guaranteed a free and fair election. An independent police commission was vital to ensure a free and fair election. Under this government it is not the election commissioner who decides the election date but the astrologers,” he added.

Mr. Jayasuriya said the government wanted to hold these elections to establish their power not for the wellbeing of the people. “Education and agriculture have deteriorated. Despite these burning problems, the government wanted these unnecessary elections even though the provincial councils had several months to complete their tenure," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana)

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  Comments - 35

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  • Dee Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:57 AM

    What happened to the bullet like junk now lying under the baseline overhead?

    Janaki Kalansuriya Thursday, 09 August 2012 01:10 AM

    Poor man, poorer opposition, and a poorest Nation. Is that all you have to comment on KJ? People are waiting for some form of leadership to pressurize the government to stop its' corruption on so many burning issues and you and the others don't seem to see anything burning than issues like this!!

    Game Kolla Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:19 AM

    Are these Helicopters using fuel from Petroleum corporation?

    Jayantha Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:20 AM

    Is that mean people gave power to the present government to do same?
    Isn't that why people refused them then?
    Is it correct to do same pointing what previous rulers did?
    If so why did people change previous government?

    Malith Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:48 AM

    Of cause UNP is finding it amusing to see 14 more helicopters flying in the air because for them even defeating Terrorism was signing a MOU's and calling the Terrorist Leader, Mr. Prabahkaran. It's good if the politicians fly in helicopters rather than blocking the traffic at peak hours. If the tourists are going to use them and others can hire them, why worry? We all know one thing that amuses UNP, it's the Development. But on the other hand, all these helicopters will short live if Susil Pemachandra is going to continue as the Petroleum Minister.

    Malith Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:51 AM

    And also no developments in the Country either. Now we see both, Developments and also Helicopters in the air.

    sach Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:31 AM

    anna hazare is an idiot who takes ind public for a ride.

    Dee Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:38 AM

    'Kaata Kirula'

    Dee Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:38 AM

    Development?? 'my foot' !

    Mishra Thursday, 09 August 2012 01:00 AM

    Anna Hazares of Sri Lanka will be welcomed by White Vans. India is a democratic country not like Sri Lanka.

    Dee Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:58 AM

    By using CPC fuel they'd come down soon.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 09 August 2012 04:27 AM

    Highways for the ordinary folks - and airways for the Royals. Reminds one of an old saying : "Rajjuruwo Udai Udai, G.. Kollo Bimai Bimai"

    ajith fernando Thursday, 09 August 2012 04:44 AM

    This is what happened during JR and Premadasa regime. You will keep on crying untill you get the power. Then you do the same again. we do not see any difference from the both parties.

    marlon Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:06 AM

    yes
    as never before.
    i.e. before also others did

    Jambalaya Thursday, 09 August 2012 04:50 AM

    Helicopters are an effeicient mode of transport especially for tourism. But what is confusing is we are building regional air ports while choppers dont need such infrastructre. Unless we have to brace ourselves for a fleet of regional jets

    citizen junior Thursday, 09 August 2012 05:59 AM

    Karu and his team has a MANIA for leadership

    malkanthi Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:21 AM

    Yes when one helicopter crashes, all will start by road for fear of life and hard earned wealth.

    ANURA Thursday, 09 August 2012 07:16 AM

    Karu, you do not understand the importance of helicopters in a land where nearly 22 million people live . Gone were the days where we could depend on motor traffic alone ,specially when you are having congested roads in all major cities in the island. Big cities and when the population density is high you got to have helicopters for surveillance ,health services etc .

    Citizen Perera Wednesday, 08 August 2012 01:36 PM

    Absolutely right..

    Cynic Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:26 AM

    What about the hefty commissions on helicopters? Gravy train moves on.

    ANTON Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:29 AM

    Another 14 more plane crashes could be expected.

    Al Rasa Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:46 AM

    See a govt. with more strength may resort to this type of methods as all past govts, also have done using of govt. resources for election work. But you should exploit more strength in your opposition to topple that types of govt. Problem is you have failed to organize you party's vibrant mechanism to topple such a govt. in an election.

    Yohan Perera Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:52 AM

    Your party did the same when they were in power...

    Dayan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:45 AM

    All these decision makers were elected by us to make them Richer and destroy our forest lands to hold GAM UDAWA and build AIR PORTS around the country.

    Tell me where we are aheading?

    Yehiya Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:01 AM

    Dear Karu. Weakness is your side.Most of them are under MR pay roll. People need a change but no suitable substitute.

    Sarneris Wednesday, 08 August 2012 11:03 AM

    Two wrongs doesn't make one right

    Potta Sunil Wednesday, 08 August 2012 11:48 AM

    We need Anna Hazare like leader in Sri Lanka, sadly there is none.

    willows Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:37 AM

    well said Sir, we know you are clean but what about the others, they too would do the same if in power

    SudhuPuncha Wednesday, 08 August 2012 02:01 PM

    why dont u cross over again!!!!then u might also get a copter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    upul Wednesday, 08 August 2012 02:02 PM

    I agreed totally expressing view on 17th Amendments and the independent commissions. This is what country needs now, very badly.

    Nodrog Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:21 PM

    Karu we don't need words....how about some action considering the UNP is the main opposition party, or is it?

    Notharismama Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:29 PM

    I think you meant Deyata Kirula?

    CHANDRAPALA Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:43 PM

    You are totally correct sir, because we need 17th amendment. Otherwise, we cannot topple this corrupt government by a this type of bogus election which is held under 18th amendment. However, it is very sad to note that you are also partly responsible for the present situation because if you did not crossover to the government earlier we could have been a strong opposition.

    Sahabandu Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:35 PM

    Govt. is getting ready for it's own suicide mission.

    PLP Thursday, 09 August 2012 12:56 AM

    We can buy more than 25 super quality Canadian Engines with this money. It will work for masses for decades . Even for our younger generations. Please think over.


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